In Japan, there are coffee shops that are dedicated to exploring the art of home roasting raw coffee beans, and using the hand-drip method to extract maximum flavor. In this series, we’ll be taking you on a journey to discover these exceptional places, where the passionate philosophy of the shop owners adds an extra layer of flavor. In this chapter, we visit PORTERS COFFEE in Tachikawa, where state-of-the-art equipment drives a meticulously crafted hand-drip method. The result is a soothing, finely tuned cup crafted under the direction of owner Shun Kurosawa.
PROFILE
Shun Kurosawa was born in Tokyo in 1984. He opened PORTERS COFFEE in 2016, and in 2020, won first place in the Japan Hand Drip Championship (JHDC). In 2023, he relocated the shop and reopened it in its current, newly renovated space.
Beautifully Balanced Coffee Brewed with Love for the Neighborhood
Even among coffee professionals, personalities vary widely. Some are philosophical and stoic, others rugged and rebellious. Then there’s Shun Kurosawa, owner of PORTERS COFFEE, who carries his passion quietly with a gentle demeanor. Though deeply committed to perfecting roasting and brewing, his main focus is creating a smooth, gentle flavor that local residents want to enjoy every day. It’s through this thoughtful approach that his character truly shines.
“I was originally interested in the style of a ‘cafe,’ not just the coffee itself,” Shun explains. “As I started imagining what a café could become, I realized I needed to deepen my knowledge of coffee, so I began studying it.”
What began as a casual enrollment in a correspondence course quickly changed his entire perspective on coffee. Ready to fully commit, he left his job and pursued a second career at the specialty coffee shop Miyakoshiya Coffee just before turning 30. Over about two years, he gained extensive knowledge, from understanding beans to mastering brewing techniques. Then, in October 2016, he fulfilled his lifelong goal by opening his own shop in Tachikawa, close to where he grew up, combining a roasting facility with a cozy café space.
The most popular blend, ‘Tachikawa,’ was created with the local community in mind and takes its inspiration from the city’s iconic zelkova tree.
Shun chose to open his café in Tachikawa, a large town in western Tokyo, because at the time, the area lacked specialty coffee shops. Wanting to bring out the full flavor of his carefully sourced beans, he dedicated himself to perfecting the hand-drip method. Just four years later, in 2020, his efforts were recognized when he won the Japan Hand Drip Championship (JHDC).
While coffee is typically served using a machine, on this day he gave a special hand-drip demonstration.
In 2023, he relocated and reopened PORTERS COFFEE as a more café-focused space, now spread across two floors. To consistently deliver his ideal brew, he introduced BREWVIE, a fully automated brewing machine co-developed by baristas and a company known for making siphon brewers and other equipment. The machine features thoughtful details like a precision heater, a circulating water system, and an independent boiler, all designed to preserve the quality of the coffee. With meticulous control over water volume, flow rate, and temperature, it allows Shun’s signature brewing style to be reproduced with remarkable accuracy.
1st image: The fully automated BREWVIE brewing machine.
2nd image: Hot water pours evenly, like a gentle shower.
3rd image: A quiet nod to Shun Kurosawa’s championship, casually displayed at the counter.
While Shun embraces the specialty coffee trend of lightly roasting carefully selected single-origin beans, the flavor he aims for is something he describes as “clean” coffee.’
When asked what he means by clean, he explains: “I see it as Coffee that retains the distinct character of the bean, with a smooth mouthfeel free of harshness or bitterness.” Every morning, he brews and tastes all the beans he plans to serve that day, making fine adjustments to the machine based on the temperature and humidity.
As we chatted and slowly sipped his coffee throughout the day, one thing stood out: even as it cooled, the flavor stayed soft and balanced. Most of us have had the experience of getting lost in conversation only to realize our coffee has gone cold and the flavor has dulled. But with Shun’s, the taste never falters.
The morning ritual of tasting. The clear amber color tells the story of a “clean” coffee.
Pursuing a Brew to Savor Over the Hours
The top-tier brew is served in a flavor glass, allowing you to fully enjoy both the aroma and its lingering fragrance.
Finding your own unique style is a tough journey, but bringing out the beans’ true charm within a flavor profile that’s favored by everyone is even more challenging. Shun’s ideal coffee embraces this approach, deeply connected to the Tachikawa community and meant to bring daily joy to the people who live there. On top of that, everyday coffee is something that can be enjoyed slowly, often over 30 minutes to an hour, accompanied by conversation. With this in mind, Shun strives to craft a taste that stays enjoyable right down to the very last drop in the cup.
1st photo: Roasting washed Nicaraguan beans for a test blend.
2nd photo: Beans are purchased not only from trading companies but also from independent importers.
3rd photo: A Dutch roaster called GIESEN, which Shun plans to switch to in the future.
Shun converted his original shop into a roasting facility, where he roasts beans three to four times a week. Since the beginning, he’s been using a 1kg direct-fire roaster from Fuji Royal because “the sounds and aromas make it easy to follow the roasting process.” He frequently checks the aroma and drops the beans about 60 to 70 seconds after the first crack for a light-medium roast, and around 180 seconds for a medium-dark roast. This careful roasting brings out the coffee’s gentle character, from sweet notes to elegant floral scents and refreshing hints of bergamot.
The top specialty beans of the day were Bolivia’s ‘Agro Takeshi,’ a unique brew you can only find here in Tachikawa.
The popular blend ‘Tachikawa’ features carefully selected beans from places like Ethiopia and Brazil, chosen each time to suit the blend. It delivers a sweet, vibrant flavor with fresh, green notes. As it cools, the floral aromas become more pronounced, conjuring the image of Tachikawa’s iconic zelkova tree standing tall over the city.
While specialty coffee can sometimes feel bold and intense, Shun’s blend offers a soothing, welcoming cup loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. Like the zelkova tree with its wide-reaching branches, this coffee embodies the spirit of the town, inviting everyone to enjoy its unique character.
1st photo: Manager Kaito Takahashi serves a delicious cup alongside Shun Kurosawa at the café.
2nd photo: The first floor features five bench seats, while the second floor offers a combination of counter and table seating with a total of sixteen seats.
◾️SHOP
PORTERS COFFEE
Official Website : https://porters-coffee.com/
Address: 2-11-22 Shibasaki-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo
Phone: 042-512-5511
◾️COFFEE
Roast Level: Light-medium to medium-dark
Roaster: Fuji Royal, semi-hot air type
Grinder: Mahlkönig
Brewing Method: Paper filter / BREWVIE machine
Varieties: Single origin (7 types), Blend (1 type – Tachikawa Blend), Decaf (1 type)
Cups: Made in Denmark
